Jazz Auditions

Big Bands, Combos and Vocal Jazz Ensemble Auditions for Winter 2023

If you are planning on playing in an instrumental jazz ensemble this term, you must audition. All CWU jazz ensembles are auditioned groups (this includes all student run jazz ensembles). Auditions will take place in the jazz room on March 29-30, 2023. Audition material will be posted here on March 22nd. Please sign up for a time on the appropriate Google sheet below. If you cannot make one of these times, please contact Dr. Karns for an alternate time.

• Saxophone Audition Sign-Up
• Trumpet Audition Sign-Up
• Trombone Audition Sign-Up
• Rhythm Section Audition Sign-Up

Audition Materials

Horn Players

1. Chromatic Scale from lowest note to highest note

2. Play the Melody to “Half Nelson” at an appropriate tempo of your choice

Reference Recording for Half Nelson

3. Improvise two choruses of Blues in Db

Reference Recording for Blues in Db

4. Sight Reading – To be provided on the audition

5. Additional Material (optional) – Play additional material that showcases your abilities in the best light possible. This could be a memorized transcription, soloing over a tune, or doubles.

Lead Trumpet (optional)

In addition to the horn requirements, play the shout chorus to “Interloper” as played by the Mel Lewis Orchestra. mm 117-135. Time 2:44

Reference Recording for Interloper

Drummers

Play along with “Half Nelson” at an appropriate tempo of your choice, as if you were performing with an ensemble.

Reference Recording for Half Nelson

Be prepared to demonstrate the following styles

• Medium Swing (sticks), qtr note = 120 bpm
• Up tempo Swing (sticks), qtr note = 240bpm
• Cha-Cha-Cha, 3-2 and 2-3 son clave (sticks), qtr note = 120bpm
• Mambo, 3-2 and 2-3 son clave (sticks), qtr note = 240bpm
• Afro Cuban 6/8 (sticks), dotted qtr = 120
• Bossa Nova (Sticks), qtr note = 120 bpm
• Samba (Sticks), half note = 110
• Medium Swing (brushes), qtr=120
• Fast Swing (brushes), qtr note = 240bpm
• Ballad (brushes), qtr note = 80bpm
• Jazz Waltz (brushes), qtr note = 144bpm
• Boogaloo (sticks), qtr note =144
• Funk (sticks), qtr note =75bpm
• Sight Reading – To be provided on the audition.

Memorized jazz vibes solo (optional) – Play from memory a solo transcribed from an iconic jazz record.

Bassists

1. Major scales from lowest note to highest note, multiple fingerings

2. Play the Melody to “Half Nelson” at an appropriate tempo of your choice

Reference Recording for Half Nelson

3. Two choruses on “Half Nelson”, first chorus walking bass, second chorus improvised solo.

4. Be prepared to demonstrate the following styles. Choose whatever tune or chords you would like. The style, rhythm, and time are what is important.

• 2-feel
• walking bass line
• tumbao
• Funk

5. Sight Reading

6. Memorized solo transcription (optional) – Play from memory a solo transcribed from an iconic jazz record.

Piano/Guitar

1. Major scales – 3 octaves, 2 hands for pianists

2. Play the Melody to “Half Nelson” at an appropriate tempo of your choice

Reference Recording for Half Nelson

3. “Comp” 2 choruses to “Half Nelson”

4. Be prepared to demonstrate the following styles of comping. Choose whatever tune or chords you would like. The style, rhythm, and time are what is important.

• Count Basie/Freddie Green
• Medium Swing - Bebop/Hard Bop
• Bossa Nova
• Montuno – 2-3 Son Clave (piano only)
• Funk

5. Sight Reading – To be provided on the audition

6. Memorized solo transcription (optional) – Play from memory a solo transcribed from an iconic jazz record.

Combo Auditions

Students wishing to play in one of the CWU jazz combos will be asked to play the melody and improvise over the Duke Ellington tune "Things Ain’t What They Used to Be” in Db Major. Students should also be prepared to improvise over the Tadd Dameron tune “Lady Bird” in C major. Combo auditions will be onMarch 30 at 11:00 AM in the jazz room.